List of heads of government of Liechtenstein

Top left: Michael Menzinger is considered the first governor of Liechtenstein.
Top right: Leopold Freiherr von Imhof was governor during World War I.
Bottom left: Josef Hoop was the longest-serving prime minister and held the office during World War II.
Bottom right: Daniel Risch is the incumbent prime minister.

The head of government of Liechtenstein (German: Regierungschef), known informally as the Prime Minister, is the chief executive of the Government of Liechtenstein and chairs the cabinet of Liechtenstein. They are appointed by the sovereign prince of Liechtenstein with the consent of the Landtag of Liechtenstein and are expected to command the confidence of both the prince and the Landtag.^[1] The appointed head of government is typically the leader of the political party with the most seats in the Landtag or a coalition of parties, but is not required to be a member of the Landtag themselves, although they should meet the eligibility requirements for that office.

The role originated when Michael Menzinger applied for the creation of the role in 1833, and was the first office-holder.^[2] The title was changed to "Governor" as a concession following the Revolution of 1848 in Liechtenstein, and was formalized upon the ratification of the 1862 constitution of Liechtenstein on 26 September.^[2]^[3] In 1921, a new constitution was ratified in which the office was replaced by that of Prime Minister.^[3]^[4] Under this constitution, the eligibility for becoming head of government was changed to require residency in Liechtenstein.^[1]

The incumbent Prime Minister is Daniel Risch since 25 March 2021.^[5] There are currently five living former prime ministers, with Walter Kieber being the most recent death, in 2014.^[6]

Head of government

Political parties

Independent

Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP)

Christian-Social People's Party (VP)^[a]

Patriotic Union (VU)

State administrator (1861–1921)

The Landesverweser (transl. State administrator), also known as simply 'Governor', was the title of the head of government from 1848 to 1921.^[7]

List of State Administrators
No.^[b]	Portrait	Name (born-died)	Term of office		Party	Monarch (Reign)	Ref(s).
No.^[b]	Portrait	Name (born-died)	Start	Duration	Party	Monarch (Reign)	Ref(s).
1		Michael Menzinger (1792–1877)	March 1833 – April 1861	28 years, 1 month	Independent	Aloys II (1836–1858)	^[2]
2		Karl Freiherr Haus von Hausen (1823–1889)	April 1861 – 23 September 1884	23 years, 175 days		Johann II (1858–1929)	^[4]
3		Carl von In der Maur (1852–1913)	23 September 1884 – 5 September 1892	7 years, 348 days
4		Friedrich Stellwag von Carion (1852–1896)	5 September 1892 – 24 October 1896 †	4 years, 49 days
(3)		Carl von In der Maur (1852–1913)	4 January 1897 – 11 December 1913 †	16 years, 341 days
—		Josef Ospelt (1881–1962) Acting	11 December 1913 – 1 April 1914	111 days			^[8]
5		Leopold Freiherr von Imhof (1869–1922)	1 April 1914 – 13 November 1918	4 years, 226 days			^[4]
—		Martin Ritter Chairman of the Provisional Executive Committee (1872–1947)	7 November 1918 – 7 December 1918	30 days	Christian-Social People's Party
6		Prince Karl Aloys of Liechtenstein (1878–1955)	13 December 1918 – 15 December 1920	1 year, 277 days	Independent
7		Josef Peer (1864–1925)	15 December 1920 – 23 March 1921	189 days	Independent
8		Josef Ospelt (1881–1962)	23 March 1921 – 5 October 1921	196 days	Progressive Citizens' Party

Prime Minister (1921–present)

The Regierungschef (lit. 'head of government') is the current title for the head of government.^[4] The office replaced State Administrator upon the ratification of the constitution of Liechtenstein on 5 October 1921.

List of Prime Ministers
No.^[b]	Portrait	Name (born–died)	Elected	Term of office		Cabinet		Monarch (Reign)	Ref(s).
No.^[b]	Portrait	Name (born–died)	Elected	Term	Duration	Cabinet		Monarch (Reign)	Ref(s).
1		Josef Ospelt (1881–1962)	—	5 October 1921 – 4 May 1922	211 days	Josef Ospelt cabinet	FBP	Johann II (1858–1929)	^[4]
—		Alfons Feger (1856–1933) Acting	—	4 May 1922 – 1 June 1922	28 days	—	Ind
—		Felix Gubelmann (1880–1929) Acting	—	1 June 1922 – 6 June 1922	5 days	—	Ind
2		Gustav Schädler (1883–1961)	1922 1926 (Jan) 1926 (Apr)	6 June 1922 – 28 June 1928	6 years, 22 days	Gustav Schädler cabinet	VP
—		Prince Alfred Roman of Liechtenstein (1875–1930) Acting	—	28 June 1928 – 4 August 1928	37 days	—	Ind
3		Josef Hoop (1895–1959)	1928 1930 1932 1936 1939 1945	4 August 1928 – 3 September 1945	17 years, 30 days	I II III IV	FBP	Franz I (1929–1938)
4		Alexander Frick (1910–1991)	1949 1953 (Feb) 1953 (Jun) 1957 1958 1962	3 September 1945 – 16 July 1962	16 years, 316 days	I II III		Franz Josef II (1938–1989)
5		Gerard Batliner (1928–2008)	1966	16 July 1962 – 18 March 1970	7 years, 245 days	I II III
6		Alfred Hilbe (1928–2011)	1970	18 March 1970 – 27 March 1974	4 years, 9 days	Alfred Hilbe Cabinet	VU
7		Walter Kieber (1931–2014)	1974	27 March 1974 – 26 April 1978	4 years, 30 days	Walter Kieber Cabinet	FBP
8		Hans Brunhart (born 1945)	1978 1982 1986 1989	26 April 1978 – 26 May 1993	15 years, 30 days	I II III IV	VU
9		Markus Büchel (1959–2013)	1993 (Feb)	26 May 1993 – 15 December 1993	203 days	Markus Büchel cabinet	FBP	Hans-Adam II (1989–present)
10		Mario Frick (born 1965)	1993 (Oct) 1997	15 December 1993 – 5 April 2001	7 years, 111 days	I II	VU
11		Otmar Hasler (born 1953)	2001 2005	5 April 2001 – 25 March 2009	7 years, 354 days	I II	FBP
12		Klaus Tschütscher (born 1967)	2009	25 March 2009 – 27 March 2013	4 years, 2 days	Klaus Tschütscher cabinet	VU
13		Adrian Hasler (born 1964)	2013 2017	27 March 2013 – 25 March 2021	7 years, 363 days	I II	FBP
14		Daniel Risch (born 1978)	2021	25 March 2021	3 years, 131 days	Daniel Risch cabinet	VU

^ Defunct from 1936
^ ^a ^b People are numbered according to periods served by the same person. For example, Carl von In der Maur served as State Administrator twice in two non-consecutive terms, yet is still counted as the second. People who occupied the position in a provisional manner are not counted, yet still noted.

Deputy head of government

The deputy head of government is the secondary chief executive in Liechtenstein.^[4] One of the cabinet ministers is appointed to this position by the prince of Liechtenstein upon the proposal of the Landtag of Liechtenstein.^[1]

List of Deputy Prime Ministers^[4]
No.	Name (born–died)		Took office	Left office	Prime Minister
1	Alfons Feger (1856–1933)	Independent	2 March 1922	1 June 1922	Josef Ospelt	FBP
1	Alfons Feger (1856–1933)	Independent	2 March 1922	1 June 1922	Himself Acting Prime Minister	Ind
—	Vacant (1–6 June 1922)				Felix Gubelmann Acting Prime Minister	Ind
(1)	Alfons Feger (1856–1933)	Independent	6 June 1922	28 June 1928	Gustav Schädler	VP
—	Vacant (28 June–4 August 1928)				Prince Alfred Roman of Liechtenstein Acting Prime Minister	Ind
2	Ludwig Marxer (1897–1962)	Progressive Citizens' Party	4 August 1928	20 June 1933	Josef Hoop	FBP
3	Anton Frommelt (1895–1975)	Progressive Citizens' Party	20 June 1933	30 March 1938
4	Alois Vogt (1906–1988)	Patriotic Union	30 March 1938	3 September 1945
5	Ferdinand Nigg (1893–1957)		3 September 1945	13 July 1957 †	Alexander Frick
6	Josef Büchel (1910–1991)		13 July 1957	16 June 1965	Alexander Frick
6	Josef Büchel (1910–1991)		13 July 1957	16 June 1965	Gerard Batliner
7	Alfred Hilbe (1928–2011)		16 June 1965	18 March 1970	Gerard Batliner
8	Walter Kieber (1931–2014)	Progressive Citizens' Party	18 March 1970	27 March 1974	Alfred Hilbe	VU
9	Hans Brunhart (born 1945)	Patriotic Union	27 March 1974	26 April 1978	Walter Kieber	FBP
(8)	Walter Kieber (1931–2014)	Progressive Citizens' Party	26 April 1978	1 July 1980	Hans Brunhart	VU
9	Hilmar Ospelt (1929–2020)		1 July 1980	2 February 1986
10	Herbert Wille (born 1944)		2 February 1986	26 May 1993
11	Mario Frick (born 1965)	Patriotic Union	26 May 1993	15 December 1993	Markus Büchel	FBP
12	Thomas Büchel (born 1952)	Progressive Citizens' Party	15 December 1993	2 February 1997	Mario Frick	VU
13	Michael Ritter (born 1957)	Patriotic Union	2 February 1997	5 April 2001	Mario Frick	VU
14	Rita Kieber-Beck (born 1958)	Progressive Citizens' Party	5 April 2001	21 April 2005	Otmar Hasler	FBP
15	Klaus Tschütscher (born 1967)	Patriotic Union	21 April 2005	25 March 2009	Otmar Hasler	FBP
16	Martin Meyer (born 1972)	Progressive Citizens' Party	25 March 2009	27 March 2013	Klaus Tschütscher	VU
17	Thomas Zwiefelhofer (born 1969)	Patriotic Union	27 March 2013	30 March 2017	Adrian Hasler	FBP
18	Daniel Risch (born 1978)	Patriotic Union	30 March 2017	25 March 2021	Adrian Hasler	FBP
19	Sabine Monauni (born 1974)	Progressive Citizens' Party	25 March 2021	Incumbent	Daniel Risch	VU

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "CONSTITUTION OF THE PRINCIPALITY OF LIECHTENSTEIN". EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR DEMOCRACY THROUGH LAW (VENICE COMMISSION). Strasbourg. 27 November 2002 [5 October 1921]. pp. 22–23. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c Burmeister, Karl Heinz (31 December 2011). "Menzinger, Johann Michael". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 5 July 2024.
^ ^a ^b Wille, Herbert (31 December 2011). "Verfassung". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "Mitglieder der Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1862-2021" (PDF). www.regierung.li. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
^ "New Government Sworn In". liechtensteinusa.org. Embassy of the Principality of Liechtenstein in Washington D.C. 26 March 2021. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
^ "Alt-Regierungschef Kieber mit 83 gestorben". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 23 June 2014. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
^ "Mitglieder der Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1862-2021" (PDF). www.regierung.li. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
^ Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Ospelt, Josef". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.

External links

World Statesmen – Liechtenstein

[a-7] Defunct from 1936

[b-9] People are numbered according to periods served by the same person. For example, Carl von In der Maur served as State Administrator twice in two non-consecutive terms, yet is still counted as the second. People who occupied the position in a provisional manner are not counted, yet still noted.

[:0-1] "CONSTITUTION OF THE PRINCIPALITY OF LIECHTENSTEIN". EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR DEMOCRACY THROUGH LAW (VENICE COMMISSION). Strasbourg. 27 November 2002 [5 October 1921]. pp. 22–23. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2024.

[:1-2] Burmeister, Karl Heinz (31 December 2011). "Menzinger, Johann Michael". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 5 July 2024.

[:122-3] Wille, Herbert (31 December 2011). "Verfassung". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.

[officehistory-4] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "Mitglieder der Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1862-2021" (PDF). www.regierung.li. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.

[5] "New Government Sworn In". liechtensteinusa.org. Embassy of the Principality of Liechtenstein in Washington D.C. 26 March 2021. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.

[6] "Alt-Regierungschef Kieber mit 83 gestorben". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 23 June 2014. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2023.

[officehistory2-8] "Mitglieder der Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1862-2021" (PDF). www.regierung.li. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.

[:04-10] Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Ospelt, Josef". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.

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